Drill Press--New vs. Old

[Matt Meiser]

I'm looking at new drill presses--nothing fancy, something in a 15-17" swing and speed adjustment via pulleys is fine. My current one has probably 3-3/4" travel which I don't think has ever been a problem and is 13" swing which has been a little too tight some times with my table and fence. I don't think I'd care for the laser because I envision the lines being too wide to be very precise base on my experience with laser levels. Good power is important because I'll use it about as much for metal as wood. The current one stalls out kind of easily.

I looked at the Ridgid, Craftsman and Delta 17-950L tonight which are $330, $350, and $370 respectively. There is also an old arn 15" Buffalo and an old arn 15" Rockwell on Ebay relatively close and the possibility of buying a few year old Delta from a friend. I'd guess used would be in the $250 range by the time I buy it, drive to pick it up, and refurbish it in the case of the Buffalo.

New ones are more refined but the old ones seem to be beefier (the Buffalo weighs 200lbs.) Old might have hidden problems but then again new quality isn't what it used to be. Any thoughts on the benefits of new vs. old? What features on the new ones would I wish I had on the old?

[Jim Becker]

DPs are kind a nice to buy since there are so many viable choices, even from the discounters. Personally, I do think you should consider quill travel if you're going to buy a new machine...the more the merrier as it will sometimes allow you to reach over things and still be able to drill a decent depth hole. Also check that you like the stop system...there are several methods used. And since you're a metal worker, check for low speed choices...handy in WW for safe use of wing cutters, too.

I own the 17" Jet and have been quite pleased with the tool. Maybe someday I"ll put a VFD-driven motor on it... :D

[Matt Meiser]

Maybe someday I"ll put a VFD-driven motor on it... :D

Funny you should mention that as that thought crossed my mind too. The motor would have to be oversized though to make up for the power lost to the VFD, but since small 3PH motors are dirt cheap it wouldn't be bad. And the original motor could be stored away safely or Ebay'd to offset the cost.

[Steven Wilson]

Any good, older, industrial drill press that runs well, is smooth in adjustment, and has acceptable run out would be my choice. An Atlas, Rockwell, Powermatic, Walker Turner, would all be good. The only problem with the older DP's is that a lot of them have 3phase motors - which may not be a problem with VFD's getting cheaper all the time.

[Gary Keedwell]

VFD's???????

Gary K.

[Matt Meiser]

Variable Frequency Drive. It varies the input frequency on the power between 0 and the standard 60Hz to change the motor speed. And just as important for use at a residence, it allows running a 3 phase motor on single phase power with some power loss.

[M Toupin]

Any good, older, industrial drill press that runs well, is smooth in adjustment, and has acceptable run out would be my choice. An Atlas, Rockwell, Powermatic, Walker Turner, would all be good. The only problem with the older DP's is that a lot of them have 3phase motors - which may not be a problem with VFD's getting cheaper all the time.

Steve's got a good list going, I'd add the old Deltas to it also. The 3ph motor would be a plus in my book. Might even look for a 3ph machine, they usually go for a good deal less than single phase because of the 3ph motor:) Couple it with a VFD you'd have the best of both worlds, old iron and variable speed! Don't sweat the power loss from the VFD, you want to keep the step pulleys to compensate for the loss of torque, which is not as bad as some would lead you to believe.

Mike

[Gary Keedwell]

I think I read somewhere that Delta or some other manufacturer is coming out with a variable speed drill with digital read-out. No more changing the belts.
Gary K.

[Matt Lentzner]

Could you run a bandsaw with a VFD. Wouldn't that make it a metal cutting saw. As far as I can tell, variable speed is the only difference between a metal cutting bandsaw and a wood one.

Matt

[Bryan Rygiel]

I have an old floor standing Shopmaster, and it's awesome. It had a foot switch that broke, so I got a new one from McMaster.

Jacobs chuck needs a little attention, but other than that I'm still using the same belt in the same position. :D

Bryan

[Matt Meiser]

Could you run a bandsaw with a VFD. Wouldn't that make it a metal cutting saw. As far as I can tell, variable speed is the only difference between a metal cutting bandsaw and a wood one.

Matt

Yes, as long as you put a 3-phase motor in it. I wouldn't want to cut metal with my wood bandsaw though. I've got one of the Harbor Freight 4x6 bandsaws and a plasma cutter for that. The metal chips would get embedded in the tires very quickly. In fact, the drill press is about the only tool where I mix wood and metal working--and I use an auxillary table for woodworking. Oh, and my belt/disc sander.

[Jimmy Newman]

After having read some positive reviews and having heard some good things from folks, I purchased a Jet JDP-17MF about a week ago. The Jet is usually more expensive but MSRP has been dropped by Jet to 379 for the summer. I unfortunately have not had a chance to take mine out of its box yet, but I did get to play with one in the store, and it seems like a very solid machine. You might think about taking a look at it. It is sold by both Woodcraft and Rockler.

[Wilbur Pan]

I'll cast a vote for getting an old drill press over a newer one. The beefiness is certainly noticeable in how smoothly it runs. Plus, there's something cool about old machinery that the new stuff just doesn't have -- a certain je ne sais quoi, if you will.

Here's a Walker-Turner drill press I just got this weekend. If you want to read the whole saga, check out my story over on WoodCentral (http://www.woodcentral.com/cgi-bin/messages.pl?noframes;read=328029#328029). It's a 15" drill press, with 4.25" spindle travel.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1190/870595946_46419cf7d8_o.jpg

As you can see, even the "hat" is made of cast iron. On today's drill presses, this would be sheet metal, aluminum, or maybe even plastic.

There's not much that can go wrong on a drill press. In addition, the older machines were often really intended for production work, which explains their durability. There may be runout/alignment issues, but even today's drill presses often don't have adjustments for that. Bearings can go bad, but replacements can usually be found, although some old drill presses use bearings that may be hard to find. For the more common companies like Rockwell, parts are available, and may even still be in production.

[David G Baker]

Matt,
I do quite a lot of metal working and have a couple of drill presses. One is a 30 year old Craftsman Commercial that does a fair job but has one of those shoe string belts. My second is an industrial drill press that takes a #3 Morris Taper, I have found this to be better for metal drilling and adding accessories. I use slug cutters in an adapter chuck and can cut up to 2 inch holes accurately. You can do so much more with a heavy duty industrial drill press. You have the range of travel and you can put a xy table on it. Another handy item is a crank up table so you can adjust the table height with out getting a hernia.

[Rod Sheridan]

When comparing an old drill press to a new one, be sure to check on the safety aspects as well.

New drill presses have self ejecting chuck keys, good belt guards and a rack and pinion table elevation mechanism.

Old machinery can have it's good points, however you can purchase a drill press with worn bearings, pulleys, chuck, and a spindle with excessive runout for only slightly less than a new machine.

That said, I like old machinery, and have a 1930 motorcycle with acetylene lighting in the garage to prove it.

Regards, Rod.

[Matt Meiser]

Funny that both David and Rod mentioned the table elevation as I was just going to ask about that. Does that seem to be much of an issue for those with old drill presses?

[Rob Will]

Do you have room for a Walker Turner or Rockwell radial arm drill press?
More reach than anything else, adjusts in all directions including a tilting head. This also gives you a large T-slotted table :D
I just bought one for $400........one of my favorite tools.

Rob

[David G Baker]

My Craftsman Commercial does not have a table lift so I put a 24" heavy duty spring on it to assist in moving the table up and down. It is not really a problem on most drill presses. Some of the real heavy duty drill presses use a hydraulic lifting device for raising the table due to the excessive weight.
I like heavy because I do some very heavy work.

[Mike Wilkins]

My vote is for old iron. I got a 1974 Rockwell drill press that is built like a tank, has 4 speeds and is all metal.
Frankly I don't get the current craze for 12 or more speeds. I use one speed setting for roughly 90% of my drilling needs and have not had a problem. Of course I change speeds for the large Forstner or fly-cutter bits, but 12 speeds is overkill. Just my opinion.
By the way; if you get a belt drive model, switch to link belts. Worth every penny.

[Matt Meiser]

After having read some positive reviews and having heard some good things from folks, I purchased a Jet JDP-17MF about a week ago. The Jet is usually more expensive but MSRP has been dropped by Jet to 379 for the summer.

Hmmm--Woodcraft has 10% off on Saturday too.

I like the external depth adjuster (the threaded rod style) over the kind that goes on the quill lever. My current one is the latter and is untrustworthy. Maybe the better machines are better? Jet, Craftsman, and the oldies that I've seen have the external. Delta and Ridgid are the other style.

Rod, I hear you on the belt guard. I did see a cool looking retrofit on one while cruising ebay that was made of expanded metal and had a curve to match the "hat" on the top--I didn't think it distracted from that cool old drill press look.

[Wilbur Pan]

I haven't missed not having a rack and pinion system for raising/lowering my drill press able. It would be nice, but not vital.

The belt guard is usually the first thing to be missing from the older drill presses. Oftentimes, they were sold separately as an accessory. That was the case for my Walker-Turner drill press.

That said, if you wanted to, you could make one. It really just a matter of building a hinged shield that bolts onto the drill press. There are usually holes meant for mounting the belt guard accessory. We are woodworkers, after all, no? ;)

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

So long as you can put an indicator on the thing and check for spindle play, run-out, and table squareness I prefer older equipment. It's heavier and tougher.

On my old floor stand Walker Turner I have a single phase DC variable speed with reverse which is a rather nice thing.

[glenn bradley]

I was eying the Steel City due to quill travel and other all around quality of build. A Delta 17-950 came up ahead of schedule with a great price and I got that. Have not had a quill travel problem so far and that was my only fear.

I spent a small part of the money I saved on Woodpecker's LP drill press table that marries to this DP beautifully. It is also nice to have some of the more modern depth stops, locks, crank-table-raiser functions, etc. that come with a new DP. No offense to OWWM's. My dad's 60 year old beast is wonderful, just not as quick to setup and change around.

[Andrew Williams]

I'd say old, definitely, unless you are getting a Canadian General. I just don't think you can buy a well-made drill press nowadays unless you get a high-priced esoteric metalworking one. I have 2 DPs, the smaller Delta has the rack-and-pinion height adjustment, and the collar depth stop. Both of these features are liabilities in my opinion. The height adjustment cannot be precise, due to the inherent play in a rack-and-pinion system, and the depth stop is easy to defeat with a bit of force. The General has old-style everything, and it can be set up more accurately and in less time than the Delta. I have yet to see a new Chiwanese DP with balanced and machined pulleys, or a high-quality chuck like a Jacobs. If such an animal exists, then I would be willing to consider that one could obtain new (General excepted) with the same quality as old. Let me know...

Bottom line is this: How well does it poke holes in exact places? This is mainly a question of spindle runout, chuck quality and quill bearing quality, all of which are primary concerns in older professional machines but are secondary in the newer imports, since bells and whistles are thought to be more important than the ability to put a precise hole in a precise location. I will stick with precision.

I think a good test of a DP is making your own router subbases. I used to think my Delta was precise until I tried making those 3 exact holes. Polycarbonate and Acrylic are not as forgiving as wood. A friend of mine came over to use my hand tools in making a Psaltry (small bowed string instrument) and he made an excellent looking instrument with one exception... The pins used to mount the strings are not in their precise locations! He used a cheapo DP to drill the holes. It will not affect the tuning of the instrument, but it surely looks amateurish.

[Brian Clevenger]

OLD

Get a Powermatic 1150. I don't think there was ever a finer 15" drill press.

I had a brand new Craftsman that was pretty nice.... 4" quill, depth stop rod, 12sp, keyless chuck. The day I found my used 1150, my Craftsman was up for sale. No regrets.

Out with the NEW
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c16/okstatefan/IMG_1016.jpg

In with the OLD
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c16/okstatefan/IMG_1012.jpg

[Don Taylor]

I went with the Steel City Drill press and have been really happy with my choice.

Here are some closeups I took for anyone interested.

http://dontee.sistmllc.com/drillpress/index.html

Hope this helps.

DT

[Matt Meiser]

Well I'm this -><- close to buying either the Jet or Steel City, leaning towards the Steel City. LOML said to buy the Jet this morning, but I'm going to talk to her about the Steel City.

[Jack Briggs]

I do agree that the older all cast iron/steel units are more stable and sturdier. One sure way to level the playing field a little is to outfit any newer DP with a decent keyless chuck. I don't mean an Albrecht or even Jacobs industrial, some of the import keyless chucks are of absolutely astounding quality. Runout almost non-existent compared with standard key-types.

I bought a Delta 17-965 17" DP a few years ago. 4-5/8" quill stroke is a plus and the thing weighs ~200 lbs. The coiled return spring broke a couple of years ago, and being a great procrastinator, I haven't replaced it. I actually prefer having no return. I can use the quill locking bolt to put just enough drag on the quill to allow self-plunging into softer woods.

[Matt Meiser]

Well, its a done deal. There is a Steel City sitting at Electric Tool in Toledo with my name on it. Apparently they just got a fax this morning too that said starting 9/1 it will include a free laser which they are going to get me anyway.

When it came down to it, the new drill presses are great machines and by the time find an old machine, probably drive some distance to pick it up, restore it, etc. I'd probably spend about same amount of money money. I also like the additons the new ones have like the table elevation crank, belt guard, light, nice on/off switch etc. I could add all those, but that helps to drive up the cost.

I did come really close to buying a Delta DP220 from the late 40's that is 15 miles from me. However it had a No. 1 morse taper and I was concerned about that when drilling heavy stock. It listed on Ebay with an opening bid of $200 if anyone is interested. The seller was willing to convert it to a buy it now auction at that price, but won't go any lower.

Pictures forethcoming.

[Bob Feeser]

I have a Craftsman 34" Radial Drill Press which as I understand it is designed for woodworking. The head telescopes, and tilts, with a rule placed on the casting to determine the angle.
http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/6096/2805785550100733997S600x600Q85.jpg

It's on an HTC mobile base, which comes in handy to access the cabinet behind it.
http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/4398/2011217520100733997S600x600Q85.jpg

I tried to find this drill press on the Sears site, but they no longer had it listed. Does that make it something to put in the old category? :rolleyes: Just kidding.
I like the old stuff. A friend of mine has the Walker Turner as shown by Wilbur's pic. I like the solid feel of it.
The Craftsman I was shocked to see, fared very well in a run out test, as compared to other drill presses. As I recall it was about $425.
I have yet to use the tilt feature, although I can see how that would come in handy when doing chair legs that insert into the seat, etc.
I checked to see if it was truly square, using a Starret square, and it was dead on, so although I tried to phase out of my Craftsman buying habits from early on, when I didn't know any better, I do enjoy the drill press. I do have one complaint though, the depth stop, that you can see as the chrome collar at the base of the handle, does not lock in a setting well enough. After making repeated runs, it will creep the depth setting. I don't want to risk stripping out the threads on the locking screw. I am looking into ways to upgrade that, but haven't spent much time on it. It's ashame, they took what is otherwise a well made tool, and cheapened it with a chinsy depth stop.

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

I'll cast a vote for getting an old drill press over a newer one. The beefiness is certainly noticeable in how smoothly it runs. Plus, there's something cool about old machinery that the new stuff just doesn't have -- a certain je ne sais quoi, if you will.

Here's a Walker-Turner drill press I just got this weekend. If you want to read the whole saga, check out my story over on WoodCentral (http://www.woodcentral.com/cgi-bin/messages.pl?noframes;read=328029#328029). It's a 15" drill press, with 4.25" spindle travel.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1190/870595946_46419cf7d8_o.jpg

.

HEY~!!! That's my drill press.

Sweet ain't she?

[Matt Meiser]

Just got it home and assembled. Since this drill press is 4" larger than my old one, I'm going to use it as an excuse to build a new table. Probably won't be too different from my old one, but will have a couple improvements.